Whatever of the 10 topics is your strong suit

The Final Project CRN 13999
Applying Critical Inquiry and Analysis to Ideas that Matter
Fall 2019

Part One:
Your task is to write a research paper based on a specific area of interest from one of the Unit Topics in this course
A research paper is an expanded essay that presents your own interpretation or evaluation or argument. When you write an essay, you use everything that you personally know and have thought about a subject. When you write a research paper you build upon what you know about the subject and make a deliberate attempt to find out what experts know. A research paper involves surveying a field of knowledge in order to find the best possible information in that field.
A research paper is not simply an informed summary of a topic by means of primary and secondary sources. It is neither a book report nor an opinion piece nor an expository essay consisting solely of one’s interpretation of a text nor an overview of a particular topic. Instead, it is a genre that requires one to spend time investigating and evaluating sources with the intent to offer interpretations of the texts, and not unconscious regurgitations of those sources. The goal of a research paper is not to inform the reader what others have to say about a topic, but to draw on what others have to say about a topic and engage the sources in order to thoughtfully offer a unique perspective on the issue at hand.
In order to begin your paper, select from of the following unit topics:
1. Democracy and Government
2. Religion vs. Spirituality
3. Wealth and Poverty
4. Racism and Discrimination
5. Education
6. The causes and effects of violence
7. The Living Environment
8. Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Labor
9. The Purpose of Art
10. Health & Wellness in the 21st Century

Once you have decided what topic you want to research you will need to write a thesis statement.

What is a thesis statement?
a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the mainpoint or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.
For example, Education is the Unit Topic that you choose
Your thesis statement could be something like:
The challenging economic environment of neighborhoods like Mott Haven in the Bronx, NYC, negatively affects the academic success and graduation rates of middle school students who live there.
You would then use your paper to make your argument.
Your paper’s structure should be as follows:
The title page should represent the paper’s title, your name, the CRN of the course and the date of completion in the center of the page, each entry on a separate line. It is followed by the table of contents, enumerating all the segments of the paper.
Abstract (or summary) is a rather short (less than a page) outline of what the paper is about, what its main argument is and why it deserves attention.
Introduction describes the problem in question in a more elaborate manner, represents the review of opinions on it, popular in modern thought, and explains why it is important and briefly introduces what your suggestions are.
Methods section is dedicated to the techniques you used looking for data and processing it, as well as your ideas concerning the relevance of information you’ve collected. Talk about how you found your sources.
Results and Discussion section once again dwells on what you have found out during your research and tells whether it may serve as answers for the questions you’ve raised in the introduction. It also elaborates what your results actually mean, what conclusions can be drawn from them and how are they perceived in a broader context.
This should total 5-7 pages.
You will need 7 outside sources (meaning not yourself)
Your sources should be made up of at least:
• 1 book on your thesis statement
• 3 pieces of peer reviewed research on your thesis statement
• 1 website that focuses on your thesis statement
• 2 news articles on your thesis statement (one of which may be an alternative news sources)

Part 2.
Your paper should also be accompanied by an Annotated Bibliography that highlights 5 of the 7 sources you have used.
WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 50-100 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, which serves as the annotation.
The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.
Annotations are descriptive and critical; they may describe the author’s point of view, authority, or clarity and appropriateness of expression.

THE PROCESS of Creating the Annotated Bibliography

First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.
Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style.
Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that:
(a) Evaluate the authority or background of the author,
(b) Comment on the intended audience,
(c) Compare or contrast this work with another you have cited
(d) Explain how this work illuminates your topic.

An Example:
The following example uses APA style for a Peer Reviewed Journal Annotation:

Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of
traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51, 541-554.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

An example of a APA Style Book Annotation

Ehrenreich, B. (2001). Nickel and dimed: On (not) getting by in America. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
In this book of nonfiction based on the journalist’s experiential research, Ehrenreich attempts to ascertain whether it is currently possible for an individual to live on a minimum-wage in America. Taking jobs as a waitress, a maid in a cleaning service, and a Walmart sales employee, the author summarizes and reflects on her work, her relationships with fellow workers, and her financial struggles in each situation.
An experienced journalist, Ehrenreich is aware of the limitations of her experiment and the ethical implications of her experiential research tactics and reflects on these issues in the text. The author is forthcoming about her methods and supplements her experiences with scholarly research on her places of employment, the economy, and the rising cost of living in America. Ehrenreich’s project is timely, descriptive, and well-researched.

To summarize you will need to:
• Decide on your topic
• Write your thesis statement
• Find the required material to support your thesis
• Write your paper 5-7 pages
• Write the Annotated Bibliography
• Email the Professor by 9:00 pm on Dec, 24th, 2019 at colushola@mercy.edu

If you have any questions reach out via email, phone or text. Do not wait until the last minute.
Good Luck!
Remember this at least 30% of your grade.